The 12-year-old boy died Friday, exactly one week after lifeguards pulled him from the waters of Lynn Deming Park in New Milford, where he and his best friend spent the afternoon. He never regained consciousness, family friends said.

Angel's death has devastated his teammates who are determined to honor his memory and love of baseball by playing their best in the opening day of the Nutmeg Games at Rogers Park.

"It's sad -- heartbreaking, actually,'' said Bob Gilchrist, the team's head coach. "He was just a great all-around kid, probably one of the hardest-working kids out there."

Angel and his father, Jose, often spent time honing his throwing and batting skills in their yard or on the field.

"He loved the game,'' Gilchrist said. "He was a quiet kid, but those sometimes are the best kids. If he was told to run 300 laps, he'd run 300 laps. He'd never complain.''

As for what happened at the beach, one parent who was there said Monday that Angel and his friend apparently were playing a game near the floating dock in which they would duck under the water, touch bottom and pop up again.

Lifeguards were alerted when Angel did not reemerge. Police said at the scene he was found unconscious at least five minutes later. Lifeguards immediately started cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Parks &amp; Recreation officials have given no statements other than condolences to the family.

The accident has prompted at least one new safety precaution: Lifeguards are now posted on the dock, said mother Sandra Mathew, who witnessed the rescue effort. She said she appreciates the extra vigilance.

"Angel, you were a great ballplayer and an even better friend,'' wrote teammate Alex Porta on Angel's memorial Web page. "All of us who have been lucky enough to get to know you will always remember you.''

Lisa Collinge of Danbury, whose son, Shawn, was also a teammate, remembered Angel as a quiet "go-getter.'' She said she enjoyed hanging out with his family at games. Her younger daughter, Katie, would play with Angel's sister, Pamela.

"It's an awful tragedy,'' said an emotional Collinge. "I can't even imagine. I keep thinking I am going to wake up from a bad dream.''

"It came as a shock to everybody,'' assistant coach Darren Skok said. "You don't like to think of this happening to anybody, but when it is someone you know and [are] close to ... well, it hit us all very hard.''

Skok said Angel was a "very coachable" player, who without fanfare did what he needed to do to help his team succeed.

"Every time someone cracked a joke in the dugout, he'd have one of the biggest smiles,'' Skok said.

Angel's No. 12 was stitched on all the team members' shirts as homage not just for this season "but forever,'' Skok said.

"You are a blessed Angel' and will be missed by everyone who had the joy of knowing you. May your family find peace knowing you are now their guardian ANGEL,'' Collinge wrote as a memorial farewell.